An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

The time period necessary for a staining process is shortened, and the apparatus is downsized. This smear preparation apparatus includes: a staining vessel for storing a staining liquid therein so as to allow a plurality of glass slides each having a sample smeared thereon to be immersed therein; and a transfer unit for holding and transferring each glass slide. The staining vessel includes a plurality of first holders configured to hold the glass slides. The staining vessel is configured such that a plurality of glass slides held by a plurality of the first holders are immersed in the stored staining liquid, and the transfer unit is configured to put in/take out the glass slides one by one with respect to a plurality of the first holders of the staining vessel.

An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

An apparatus including a receptacle including a slot for receiving a basket; a push bar disposed in the receptacle, the push bar having an end to contact an edge of a single slide of a plurality of slides in a basket, the push bar including a first position below a bottom surface of a base of a basket that is received in the slot and a second position in the slot; and a sensor focused in a direction of the slot operable to acquire information from a slide in a received basket. A method including placing a slide basket into a slot of a receptacle; individually raising one or more slides from a respective position in the basket; using a sensor, acquiring information from the raised slide in the basket; and after acquiring information, lowering the raised slide.

A microfluidic chip assembly for rapidly performing digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and use thereof are provided. The microfluidic chip assembly includes at least one microfluidic chip, a heat sink arranged below the microfluidic chip, a heater arranged above the microfluidic chip, a semiconductor cooler arranged between the heat sink and the microfluidic chip, and a heat-conducting plate arranged above the semiconductor cooler. A thin film layer is bonded at the bottom of the microfluidic chip, and the thin film layer abuts against the heat-conducting plate.

A slide rack inventory and reinsertion system for use with a digital slide scanning apparatus is provided that determines, prior to scanning of glass slides in a slide rack, a status of each slot in the slide rack as properly occupied, improperly occupied, or empty. The system also determines whether a slide that has been removed from the slide rack for processing has been properly reinserted into the slide rack.

Examples described herein also provide a substrate conveyance system. The substrate conveyance system may include a conveyor surface to convey a number of substrates, and a number of apertures defined in the conveyor surface between the substrates as positioned on the conveyor surface. The location of the apertures is based on a location at which at least one reagent module dispenses a reagent.

A method for scanning microscope slides using a device with at least one feed unit for microscope slide holders, at least two microscope slide scanners, at least one depositing device, and at least one industrial robot, includes: a) loading the feed unit with at least one microscope slide holder, which holds at least one microscope slide, b) removing the microscope slide from the at least one microscope slide holder, c) inserting the removed microscope slide into one of the microscope slide scanners, d) removing the microscope slide from one of the microscope slide scanners, and e) depositing the microscope slide in the depositing device, wherein steps b) to e) are carried out by at least one industrial robot.

A system having a first automatic machine (1) for processing or investigating biological samples and a second automatic machine (16) for processing or investigating biological samples. The first machine (1) and the second machine (16) are electrically connected to an electrical power grid in order to be supplied with electrical energy as an electrical load. The first machine (1) has a first control apparatus (13) and the second machine (16) has a second control apparatus (19), which detect disruptions in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, switch over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from a first energy reservoir (12) or a second energy reservoir (18). The first machine (1) and the second machine (16) are also electrically connected to each other, such that the electrical energy is transferrable from an energy store of one of the automatic machines to the other automatic machine.

Assay systems including assay apparatus and handheld assay devices for use therewith for obtaining diagnostic information of a bodily specimen. Assay devices include a cartridge housing snugly accommodating a specimen slide intended for elevation from an initial lowermost specimen introduction position to a final uppermost specimen examination position in which a bodily specimen is compressed between a cartridge housing top face and a specimen slide. Assay devices preferably include a liquid reagent dispensing arrangement for dispensing liquid reagent on a specimen slide for reacting with a bodily specimen.